Module 6 : The Cerebral Cortex and out Divided Brain Flashcards
Cerebral Cortex
The intricate fabric of the interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemisphere. The body’s ultimate control and information processing center.
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish and protect neurons. They also play a role in learning and thinking.
Frontal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead. Involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.
Parietal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear. Receives sensory input for touch and body positions.
Occipital Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head. Includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.
Temporal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears. Includes the auditory areas each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.
Motor Cortex
An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movement.
Sensory Cortex
Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
Association Areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions. Rather they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking.
Plasticity
The brains ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons.
Corpus Callosum
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.
Split Brain
A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them.
